Waging war on Iraq: A timeline of Canadian intervention since 1990

By JON ELMER and VALERIE ZINK*

Protest against the deployment of the HMCS Iroquois, Halifax, on February 24, 2003

The Canadian government long ago joined this war on Iraq: for the past 12 years the Canadian Navy has been enforcing a senseless and cruel economic war on the civilians of Iraq which has cost more than one million lives. 

Fourth of a series on Canada’s involvement in the Iraq war, Shunpiking Online. Please note that the timeline ends in February, 2003 and hence does not cover the ensuing material (export of arms, provision of territory and infrastructure), military, political-ideological participation of Canada in the war against Iraq.

Atlantic Canada marches against Bush’s war (II)

February 15, 2003 Global Days of Action – 

Over thirteen million people demonstrated worldwide in over 800 cities, including hundreds of thousands throughout Canada in freezing temperatures, against the invasion of Iraq – the largest protest in human history. It demonstrated in the most graphic terms what the people of the world have been saying, that these wars are not in their name and that another world without war is possible. It placed at the centre of the political life of this movement and of the country the demand for an end to pro-war government and for an anti-war government. 

By TONY SEED

THROUGHOUT ATLANTIC CANADA, thousands of people marched on February 15 declaring loudly in one community after another – fifteen in all – No to Bush’s war and any Canadian involvement. Workers, women, seniors, youth and students, political personalities, trade union representatives, political and social activists and people from all walks of life including many families and children, poured into the streets as part of the Global Day of Action involving millions of people worldwide against the war of aggression the U.S. is planning against Iraq.

The social conscience of Canadians has no freezing point. The largest demonstration, in the strategic NATO port of Halifax, was held in minus 35 degree weather. The smallest, in the tiny fishing village of Bay St. Lawrence on the northernmost tip of Cape Breton Island, was held in minus 50 degree weather.

Canadian troops being trained for invasion of Iraq?

Anti-war activists oppose use of Fredericton for urban war training

(FREDERICTON, February 15, 2003) — The organization F.R.E.E.D.O.M., New Brunswick* reports that in December, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR – mechanized infantry) engaged in the largest live-ammunition combat exercise ever undertaken in Canada since the heart of the cold war at CFB Gagetown – half an hour south of Fredericton.

This is the all the more significant in view of reports that the United States is demanding that Canada send the 2RCR to Iraq. “The Americans had been looking forward to getting the 2nd Battalion RCR as the core of a reinforced battle group, to do reconnaissance, screen the main force and become the vanguard of a U.S or British division.” (National Post, 14 February 2003). This ‘vanguard’ role means as cannon fodder.

The grim reality unfolding right in front of our eyes

An overview of war preparations in Halifax and Canadian ports | TONY SEED*

Second of a series on Canada’s involvement in the Iraq war

(HALIFAX, 13 February 2003) – HOW CAN WE shut our eyes to the grim reality unfolding in front of us?

No to US military training and refuelling in PEI!

(CHARLOTTETOWN, 13 February 2003) — Representatives of a Canadian corporation were in St. Joseph, Missouri in mid-January for the 22nd annual Air Mobility Tactics Symposium, at Rosecrans Air Force Base, according to Earth Action.

“The Slemon Park Corporation will be making a bid for the refuelling and maintenance of giant C-130 Hercules aircraft on Prince Edward Island, as well as military training exercises for their crews. But residents of PEI have vowed to oppose this plan for social and environmental reasons,” a report informs.

Report on Iraq: Calgary physician addresses Halifax meeting

(Halifax, February 5, 2003) – OVER 100 PEOPLE attended a forum on February 5 to hear Dr. David Swann report on his recent visit to Iraq. Dr. Swann is former Chief Medical Officer of Alberta’s Palliser Health Authority. He was fired for being in favour of the Kyoto Protocol; after public anger, he was offered his job back, which he turned down. Dr. Swann subsequently went to Iraq as a member of the Iraq Peace Team, to investigate the current situation facing the Iraqi people. He has been on a speaking tour of Canada and spoke the previous evening in New Glasgow. The meeting was organized by the Inter-University Coalition Against the War and held in the FASS Building in Dalhousie University. 

Why Iraq? Oil and U.S. foreign policy

By ISAAC SANEY*

This essay is the text of the paper “Why Iraq?” given on January 29, 2003 to inaugurate the Halifax Political Forums held at Dalhousie University from January to May on the theme “Peace & Nations in the 21st Century: Understanding the Causes of War.” One hundred and three people attended, filling the lecture room to overflowing.

This eleven-part series was aimed at “meeting the widespread demand for analysis of the contemporary situation, combating the massive disinformation about the nature and causes of war, providing clarity, and a venue for discussion.”

Halifax Political Forums inaugurated, hall packed for ‘Why Iraq?’ lecture

THE Halifax Political Forums inaugurated its series of weekly public discussion on January 29 on the topic “Why Iraq? Oil? Weapons of Mass Destruction? U.S. Dictate?” The Series is organized on the overall theme, “Peace & Nations in the 21st Century: Understanding the Causes of War.”

“An estimated 200 million people died in two world wars and 500 regional wars in the 20th century alone,” said Tony Seed, editor and publisher of Shunpiking magazine, pincipal sponsor of the weekly series, as he inaugurated the forum on behalf of its steering committee.

“Yet today mankind is faced with new destructive conflicts and deepening economic and political crises. Who is responsible for the threats to global and regional peace? Is it really ‘outlaw regimes’, an ‘axis of evil’ or ‘failed states’ and nations? How can a genuine and lasting peace be achieved? Who will decide?

“This in-depth public series is aimed at meeting the widespread demand for analysis of the contemporary situation, combating the massive disinformation about the nature and causes of war, and to provide clarity and a weekly venue for discussion.